Bank CD Options

Posted: Jan 28, 2011 |Comments: 0 |

Bank CDs provide some of the highest rates return among bank savings options.   Bank CDs can offer investor both safety and security with fixed rate of return.  Not all bank CDs are the same and investors not only have choices regarding the CD interest rate or term but also have options with the type of bank CD to invest in.

With a traditional FDIC insured bank CD, the account holder agrees to keep the money deposited with the bank for a term ranging from a few days to several years.  In return for leaving the funds in the bank account, the bank agrees to pay the CD account holder a higher interest rate than may be available from a checking account, savings account or money market account.  If you need to withdraw the money before the CD matures, you will pay a penalty.  When that term ends, you can withdraw your money or roll it into another CD at the current rate.

Other bank CD options that investors can choose to hold instead of the traditional bank CD include: variable rate CDs, bump up CDs, step up CDs, liquid CDs an callable CDs. 

Variable Rate CDs are similar to traditional bank CDs but unlike traditional CD's that pay a fixed rate of interest, the variable rate CD has an interest rate that is linked to the performance of a participating interest rate index such as a 3 month Treasury bill.  If the index rate goes up, the CD rate does too but if the index rate goes down, the CD interest rate will go down as well.  The entire CD balance earns the adjusted rate tied to the index at the time of the rate changes which is generally monthly.

Bump-up CDs allows the account holder to increase the CD rate to a higher interest rate if market rates go up.  Most banks that offer this type of CD let the account holder bump up the interest rate once during the term of the CD.  The new CD rate will last for the remainder of the original CDs term. 

Step up CDs are often confused with bump up CDs since both CDs may have rate increases that remain fixed.  The difference with the step up CDs is that instead of allowing the account holder the choice to increase the CD rate should rates rise, the step up CD calls for periodic increases in the CD rates over time.

Liquid CDs are also fixed interest rate CDs but these CDs allow the account holder to make withdrawals from the account during specific times without incurring an early withdrawal penalty.  The interest rate on these CDs are usually lower than traditional CDs due to the added liquidity they offer.

Callable CD gives the issuer the options to pay off the CD before it reaches maturity.   A bank that issues this CD with the right to recall it after a set period, returning the initial deposit plus any accrued interest owed to the account holder.  These CD often have longer terms of five years or more and often pay a higher interest rate to make this type of CD more attractive to investors.

Always make sure you understand the key terms and conditions of the bank CD before investing and shop around for the highest CD interest rates regardless of the CD type.

Questions and Answers

Ask
200 Characters left
Rate this Article
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 0 vote(s)
    Feedback
    Print
    Re-Publish
    Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/banking-articles/bank-cd-options-4127707.html

    Article Tags:

    bank rates

    ,

    cd rates

    ,

    banks

    Excel National Bank is the 7th largest SBA lender in the country as of the government's fiscal year end ending September 30, 2010. Your business can benefit from the fast processing and extensive experience of the bank.

    By: Noah L Diazl Finance> Bankingl Feb 24, 2012
    Mack Peter

    There is a silver lining in the financial mess that the nation is as of now especially in CD's as rates are expected to rise in the coming years with elections on the anvil and new policies and financial measures are expected to be in place for the correction of the economy.

    By: Mack Peterl Finance> Bankingl Aug 29, 2011
    Mack Peter

    The reason that customers always looking for every bank's rates to get the Best Banks Rates and CD Interest Rates. In this process, online Banks can help you to find the best banking rates.

    By: Mack Peterl Finance> Investingl May 04, 2010
    Mack Peter

    Online Banks offers better money saving options and Best Banks Rates. Online Banks can help in buying a home, car or to start a new business, people prefer to get the best bank rates to use there money wisely.

    By: Mack Peterl Finance> Investingl Apr 05, 2010
    Mack Peter

    Online Banks offers some great services like Eloans. E-Loan, it is one of the best online banks offering a huge variety of financial products and services. E-Loan CDs are just one of the financial products sold at E-Loan. They also offer high yield savings accounts, home loans, auto loans, student loans, and much more.

    By: Mack Peterl Finance> Investingl Apr 24, 2010

    Florida CD rates are dependant on the current economic environment. Deposits generated from the clients are used by banks to invest in higher yielding investments or they lend it out to borrowers at a higher rate of interest.

    By: Mr Nathanl Finance> Investingl May 03, 2012

    The article consists of the tips for the bankers to have effective followup over the loans granted to their borrowers

    By: A GAURI SANKARl Finance> Bankingl May 31, 2012

    Interview with the intending borrower plays a great role in providing a lot of information to the credit manager while he is in the process of extending finance to a new borrower. In this article certain tips are given as to how questions can be posed during the course of credit interview

    By: A GAURI SANKARl Finance> Bankingl May 31, 2012

    India: Banking covers the industry overview in terms of inflation, repurchase agreements, new loans, policy banks and foreign banks. It also covers the market trends and outlook including reserve requirement ratio, Basel III, financial integrated circuit cards, non-performing loan and internationalisation of RMB, plus the operational highlights and SWOT analysis of the leading players: State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank.

    By: bharatbookseol Finance> Bankingl May 25, 2012

    Personal banking is the term which is actually devised on the lines of retail banking. The essence of such type of banking facility is that the products and services are custom designed to meet individual banking and subsidiary needs.

    By: Mr Nathanl Finance> Bankingl May 24, 2012

    Fears about how the problems in the Eurozone will have an effect on the UK, and how being part of the eurozone can be beneficial to some countries and negative to others. The eurozone has a strong influence on natural economic principles and these influences spoil the natural economic balances. Consequently a country's financial problems can continue to spiral whilst other countries can manipulate these factors to their benefit.

    By: Robert Andrewsl Finance> Bankingl May 23, 2012

    The benefits of using a CD calculator to obtain the best CD rate of return.

    By: Russell Seedl Finance> Bankingl Feb 09, 2011

    Information on Arizona's Eight Largest Bank, Bank of Arizona.

    By: Russell Seedl Finance> Bankingl Jan 29, 2011

    Investigating the problem with payday loans and a look at potential solutions to avoid these lending options.

    By: Russell Seedl Finance> Loansl Jan 29, 2011

    How to compare and select the best 3 month CD rates.

    By: Russell Seedl Finance> Bankingl Jan 27, 2011

    Discuss this Article

    Author Box
    Articles Categories
    All Categories
    Quantcast